British V.Islands Basketball

DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - A frantic Friday and Saturday at the Hon Julian Fraser/Save the Seed Basketball League first saw Momentum lose out to the Warrias and then West Gunners blew away Bayside Blazers in a late rally to reach the Western Conference final, whilst Next took an early lead in the Eastern final.The Saturday October 22, 2016 showdown between the 2015 defending champions West Gunners and Bayside Blazers was undoubtedly the game the fans had come to watch as the series was tied 1-1 after the Gunners held firm to tie things up with an 102-99 victory on Friday October 21, 2016.

Bayside Blazers, without Coach Rhennie O. Phipps, who was ejected during Friday's tempestuous ending, Jevon K. Serrant as well as Franklyn L. Penn Jr, who were both absent from on court play, seemed right on course for the deciding win as they took a commanding double digit lead into the fourth quarter.

However, Ray D. Victor had other ideas.

With 6:05 remaining on the clock, he splashed a '3' to make the score 86-78 and then Douron Phillip was on hand to tip back in a rebound from a Rowan Victor shot.

Ray D. Victor went 'and one' after a bouncing ball was finally cleaned up from under the Gunners basket, Romain Minott made it 86-85 with 5 minutes left and after an exchange of baskets Victor brought the crowd to its feet with a score levelling shot from downtown.

With Phillip on the verge of being fouled out, the Gunners went a point up from another visit to the charity stripe, Dextroy D. Manswell levelled for the Blazers, but Ray Victor, again, spurred on his team, scoring twice from Free Throws and netting another '3' and put the Gunners up by 5.

With 2 minutes left Dion M. Blyden scored for the Blazers to make it a 3-point game at 96-93, Ray and Rowan combined to give BJ Caleb an easy put back, Omar Walker came up with a big defensive block and Ray Victor again drew a foul to score 1 from 2 shots and with 52 seconds left it was 99-95 Gunners.

Both Manswell and Blyden missed scoring opportunities, whilst Minott and Walker added further scores from the Free Throw line and it was all over, 102-96, to the Gunners.

Ray D. Victor finished with a game high 36 points and 7 steals, while Phillips netted 20 points and 10 rebound and both Rowan Victor and Romain Minnot had 13 points.

The Gunners will next face Warrias for the Western Conference title after Momentum were surprisingly, to some, undone 2-1 in the series.

The Warrias were down by two points with time almost expired when Shaquille T. Fonseca sank a '3' to send the number one seeds, Momentum, out and the Warrias into a showdown with the Gunners, which starts tonight at the Save the Seed Energy Centre at 7:45 P.M.

Momentum bow out

In the Eastern Division, Next took a comfortable 1-0 lead in the best of three series with Splash Brothers after a 102-99 win on Saturday October 22, 2016 in game one.

The game was tight for the first half, which ended at 53-54 and by the end of the third quarter, Splash Bros, with a mixture of '3's', turnovers, steals and visits to the free throw line, had increased their advantage to 6 points.

With less than 8 minutes remaining, the scores were level at 85's, Shamoi A. Dagou and Steve E. Parillon both splashed from long range to put the Brothers back ahead, but with 5 minutes left Killven M. Samuel went 2 for 2 from the charity stripe and then scored again to make it 93-91 Next.

A Dagou '3' put the Bros back in front, but Samuel responded and Eustace 'Boss' Freeman scored twice more to make it 98-94. Dagou and Samuel exchanged long range scores to make it 101-99 into the last 60 seconds, the Bros missed two attempts from the Free Throw line with 19 seconds left and Samuel then delivered the game one coup de grace with a free throw to make the final score 102-99.

LOWER ESTATE, Tortola, VI - All major sports, along with sporting facilities in the Virgin Islands, from horse race and track and field to basketball, have been affected by the destruction of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Basketball, a favourite sport that have kept the Territory's name alive overseas because of many local basketball players who have gone on to do great things, has been one of the hardest hit. Tortola and Virgin Gorda have grown accustomed to four major basketball leagues e... [read more]

LOWER ESTATE, Tortola, VI - All major sports, along with sporting facilities in the Virgin Islands, from horse race and track and field to basketball, have been affected by the destruction of hurricanes Irma and Maria.Basketball, a favourite sport that have kept the Territory's name alive overseas because of many local basketball players who have gone on to do great things, has been one of the hardest hit.

Tortola and Virgin Gorda have grown accustomed to four major basketball leagues each year, in at least two cases (Summer Jam & BVI Basketball Federation) going back to some 20 to 40 years.

Four big basketball leagues on hold

The Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines Sixth District Basketball League usually is played around February each year at the Belle Vue Gymnasium, which was totally flatted by Hurricane Irma, so players in that area have no place to practice.

The Belle Vue Gym holds the title of the Territory's first indoor basketball court built by late Legislator Omar W. Hodge. However, the facility that now lies in ruins will not be built back anytime soon despite the current Representative Maduro-Caines claiming it will be.

The BVI Basketball Federation League, the Virgin Islands' (VI) oldest league, going back some 40 plus years, which usually starts on Mother's Day and is played at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, will resume no time soon. The building, the 'town gym' as it is most often called, was damaged and still not repaired and is still being used as a shelter for residents that remain homeless.

On Virgin Gorda, a few years ago, the basketball court in the Valley was covered with a roof for the popular Summer Jam games which started around 1995, according to one of its founders, Trevor M. Stevens aka 'West.' That new roof and facility fell victim to Hurricane Irma and will not be up anytime soon, leaving Virgin Gorda basketball players without a game plan or a league. Some of the committed players go to the unlighted North Sound Court to keep in shape. Summer Jam usually starts around July-August each year and has grown to be the most exciting league on the sister island.

The youngest basketball league, which some have described as the most anticipated and competitive league, is the Honourable Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League that is played at the Save the Seed Energy Centre. This young league, founded in 2013, is known for its draft of local elite basketball players, rings and corporate sponsorship. It was founded by Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), a veteran politician and Bishop John I. Cline, an outspoken man of the cloth.

While this was the only home of a basketball league that survived the destructive force of Hurricane Irma, the church on the compound in Duff's Bottom received extensive damages and the league had to be canceled following the Hurricanes of 2017 to allow the church to occupy the Save the Seed Basketball space. It is unknown when the church will be fixed; therefore, no games will happen there for a while. This is also an indoor Gym and the League, which has both junior and senior divisions, usually starts around August each year.Local elite basketball players speak

While there are other basketball leagues around Tortola, like the K & J 3 on 3 and a junior division developmental league almost every month by veteran coach Mr Milton C. McLean of the Sea Cows Bay Basketball Club, the four major basketball leagues draw the most players, cost the most money, have the most controversies and attract the biggest crowds and fan base and see the display of the strongest passions for the game.

Many of the local big name players are determined to keep the sport alive and have even continued their practice and workout routines with a game or two.

It was yesterday, February 4, 2018 that our roving camera caught up with some players hooping it up at the Lower Estate Basketball court in the capital city. Names such as Jason A. Edwin, Ray D. Victor, Nathaniel J. Malone, Kameron G. Young and even coach Brian S. Brewley aka 'Bash' were among others in full force.

Mr Edwin, who is also a co-founder of the K & J 3 on 3, a coach and veteran player, told our newsroom that 'we all know that most of the facilities were damaged, but we want to keep basketball alive…..some of us from a certain generation are accustomed of playing outdoors… but we going to start doing some grassroots programmes, to bring basketball back, but it will take some time to get the facility up and running…' Mr Edwin stated.

Meanwhile, another superstar player Mr Victor said, 'We are still trying to stay in shape. It's fun getting a sweat, we are bored. I urge other players to come out and let's play some basketball." Mr Victor said he understands the hold up with the facility, for example at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex which is still being used as a shelter. 'I understand the challenge as the people who find themselves in those situations must also come first.'

In addition, Mr Malone, a seasoned player and coach, told our newsroom, 'I am part of the efforts to keep the sport alive and we practice as often as we can, so whenever a league starts we will be ready.'

It's unclear what level of priority sporting facilities will be given in the Territory's recovery plans and when the islands will see its first basketball league following the Hurricanes of 2017, as some will simply argue there are much more pressing priorities.

Correcaminos UAT Victoria (LNBP) inked 31-year old British V.Islands international center Kleon Penn (213-127kg-86, college: McNeese State, agency: Paris Global Sports) from Fuerza Regia. In 6 LNBP games in Mexico he averaged 6.5ppg and 4.3rpg this season. The last summer Penn played at Brujos in Puerto Rican BSN where in 36 games he had 6.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 2.1bpg. A very good season in his career as he was selected to Puerto Rican BSN All-Star Game. Among other achievements he won Dominic... [read more]

Correcaminos UAT Victoria (LNBP) inked 31-year old British V.Islands international center Kleon Penn (213-127kg-86, college: McNeese State, agency: Paris Global Sports) from Fuerza Regia. In 6 LNBP games in Mexico he averaged 6.5ppg and 4.3rpg this season. The last summer Penn played at Brujos in Puerto Rican BSN where in 36 games he had 6.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 2.1bpg. A very good season in his career as he was selected to Puerto Rican BSN All-Star Game.Among other achievements he won Dominican Rep. LNB North Division championship title in 2016. Penn received also Latinbasket.com Puerto Rican BSN All-Defensive Team award in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.He represented British Virgin Islands at the CBC Championships in Tortola (British Virgin Islands) two years ago. Penn's team got to the Semifinals and his stats at that event were 4 games: 6.5ppg, 6.3rpg, Blocks-3 (3.0bpg), FGP: 56.3%, FT: 57.1%.Penn is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Morocco, Venezuela (Toros and Trotamundos), NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves), Puerto Rico (Vaqueros and Gallitos), Dominican Republic (Metros de Santiago) and Mexico (Soles and Potros).Worth to mention Penn played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him to get the job in pro basketball. He attended McNeese State until 2009 and it is his ninth season in pro basketball.Penn's game is described as:
Kleon Penn is a good defender and shot blocker. He has vastly improved his offensive skills. He is rapidly becoming one of the best defenders in the world. He was voted top defender in the very tough Puerto Rican league for 2011. He is ready to play at any level.

Another great collegiate basketball season is around the corner and athletes from the British Virgin Islanders are set to take court. In every levels, the small nation will feature talent that serves as beacons for the next generation of athlete. Eral Penn and Long Island University has been selected to finish sixth in this year's Northeast Conference standings in the league's annual preseason coaches' poll. The Blackbirds are under the direction of first year head coach Derek Kellogg, a... [read more]

Another great collegiate basketball season is around the corner and athletes from the British Virgin Islanders are set to take court. In every levels, the small nation will feature talent that serves as beacons for the next generation of athlete. Eral Penn and Long Island University has been selected to finish sixth in this year's Northeast Conference standings in the league's annual preseason coaches' poll. The Blackbirds are under the direction of first year head coach Derek Kellogg, and will be looking to replace the team's three top scorers. Penn is a 6'7" forward who played for Catholic League powerhouse St. Francis Academy. An All-Metro team honoree, Penn was one of his team's leading scorers as they advanced to the league semifinals, and was awarded the league's Dave Kropfelder "Never, Never Quit" Award in his senior season.Tahj Malone and Nyack University begins exhibition season on November 2nd versus Central Connecticut State. Malone is a 6'6 Guard/Forward native of the Virgin Islands that played his prep career at Montverde Academy (FL). He was teammates with current NBA Star Ben Simmons on Montverde's 2015 National High School Basketball Championship Team that achieved a 31-1 record. Franklyn Penn, New Mexico JCRenaldo Rogers, Northeastern JC

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